ForestXplorer

Explore Cowleaze

This small and attractive woodland is set high in the Chiltern Hills with amazing views over the surrounding countryside. There is a great diversity of trees and a great viewpoint in the corner of the wood.

There is a great mix of habitats in this small wood and plenty of paths to explore. The bluebells in May are like a blue carpet and well worth a visit.

There is a grassy area suitable for picnics, ample car parking and a dog bin is provided for those walking dogs.

What do other visitors say?

5 Stars

Beautiful bluebells as far as the eye can see. I couldn't find anywhere near Oxford to walk the dog that wasn't a lake with blades of grass sticking up!, but this wood was very dry even after all the rain. Just a few muddy puddles here and there. Saw lost of red kites too. Fantastic

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What's Here?

Arts

Educational

Picnic

Walking

Viewpoint

Fine views across the valley can be seen from the far end of Cowleaze.

Wildlife

The conservation value of this wood is low, due to its uneven age structure of trees and large numbers of visitors and their dogs. Red Kites are common in the surrounding area but have not yet nested in Cowleaze. Fallow, Roe and Muntjac can be seen roaming through although they are not resident. The wood covers 29 hectares and contains both conifer and broadleaf trees, all planted between 1957 and 1966. The most abundant tree species are European Larch, Oak and Beech. The three types of larch are found within this wood (European, Japanese and Hybrid).

Organisation

Leave the M40 at junction 5 and follow the A40 north to Oxford for one mile. Turn off the A40 at the television mast, and signposted to the Sculpture Trail and continue for 2 miles, past the nature reserve, over the motorway and Cowleaze is on the left.